Buckle



P. W. WHITE BUCKLE4 Filed Aug. 30, 1955 Patented Nov. 12, 1935 PATENTOFFICE BUCKLE:

Paul W. White, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Parva Products Company,Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application August 30, 1933,Serial No. 687,387 6 Claims. (Cl. `2{1-'73) This invention relates to aslide buckle and has special reference to devices adapted to be mountedon straps, bands, and the like, for the support of garments or otherobjects particularly Y 5 onthe person.

More particularly, this invention relates to slide buckles comprising apair of slidably engaged frames havinguppen lower and side bars with theupper bars cooperating when in an l aligned operative position forengaging a strap, band, or the like, threaded therebetween, the free endof the strap extending through the apertures defined by the bars of theframes. One of the frame members is provided with means 18 for engagingthe other of the frames to direct a relative transverse movement of theframes or bars upon a relative longitudinal movement f thereof to clampthe strap in adjusted positions between the upper bars.

20 The device hereinafter to be described more particularly in detail isadaptable for use with various types of objects particularly on theperson and'may be employed with slight variations not departing from thespirit of the invention .25 universally where detachable connections aredesired to be made. However, the slide buckle will hereinafter bedescribed and isY shown in the 'drawing in its association with a strapof an overall, the strap being threaded between co- 30 operatingslidably engaged upper bars of the pair of frames for adjustablyclamping the strap relatively thereto, the bottom bar of one of theframes being detachably engaged with a button of a bib of an overall. Itwill be, of course, ap- 35 parent that the one side or bar of the framemay be ilxedly attached as well as detachably secured to ,any type ofVgarment or objects. n

Applicant contemplates the provision of a slide buckle formed of a pairofV frames having "40 .longitudinal slidable movement therebetween,

the upper ends of the frame members cooperating to grip efficiently thestrap theaded therebe- Y tween and at the same time to permit of a readyadjustment thereof. The strap vis held positively y.,145 againstslipping after an initial application of tension without the necessityof providing sharp projecting prongs or like gripping members and isreadilyand conveniently drawn in either direction to adjust the straplongitudinally therein '50 with a maximum of ease.

Y In the drawing, the lower bar of one of the vframe members is shownasbeing provided with an outwardly extending button-*retaining loop fordetachableengagement with anY article to be 355 *l supported, .althoughthe Vbar maybe straight or 4otherwise formed to be sewed or xedlyattached in any manner to the article to be supported. A tension on thestrap to support the garment or `other article produces a relativelongitudinal movement between the frames in a direction outwardly fromeach other, which relative longi- Vtudinal movement produces a relativetransverse movement of the frames or bars thereof to clamp a strapbetween the upper bars in any desired position.

In the present example, it will be noted that the strap for supportingthe garment extends downwardly and initially between the upper bars ofthe respective frame members where the clamping action takes place. Thefree end of l5 the strap `is thereafter threaded through the opening'inone of the bars defined by the upper and lower bars thereof, and thenceunder that bar and rearwardly through the opening defined by the upperandY lower bars of the vother of the frames, whereafter, the free end ofthe strap hangs downwardly and is preferably hidden by the supportedarticle. In this condition,a tension on the strap urges the firstmentioned frame toward the second mentioned frame as the latter is heldby the supported article, thus provided for a relative longitudinalmovement. The relative transverse movement may be provided in one ofseveral ways, as, for example, by means of the formation of channels onopposed edges of one of the frames for engagement with the opposed edgesof the other of the frames. Should the channels be tapered, a

Vlongitudinal movement will direct the frame in a direction toward theother to' clampingly hold the 35 strap between the upper bars. However,should the channels be straight, or, in other words, the opposite sidesof the channels be parallel, then the upper bar of the frame attached tothe su- Y ported article may be tapered to eifect the same 40 clampingaction on the strap.

It is particularly desirable in the instance of the association of theslide buckle with overall straps -that the upper bar of one of theframes be offset or have a projecting portion centrally of the overallwidth thereof for engaging the strap, whereafter theportion of the baradjacent the sides of the frame is relieved to permit a more or lessfree movement of the edges of the strap for the reason that these edgesVary in thickness. The variance of the strap is occasioned by reason ofthe edges of the strap being folded over and sewed together, the strap Ycomprising a -folded piece of material of tubular fashion. The edges ofthe material forming the ,55

strap are folded in order to obviate a raw edge on the outside thereof,making the one side of the strap four folds of material in thickness andthe center of the strap but two folds. In order therefore, to obtain aneven clamping of the strap, it is desirable to clamp the materialthereof at an intermediate portion, or, in other words, at the portionof uniform cross-section which is centrally of the width thereof.

One of the objects of this invention is to provde a buckle comprising apair of slidably engaged frames of the character hereinabove describedin which the strap threaded therethrough may be conveniently and easilyadjusted in either direction.

Another object of this invention is to provide a slide buckle comprisinga pair of slidably engaged frames of the character indicated above inwhich a relative longitudinal movement of the frames provides a relativetransverse movement for clamping the strap in adjusted positions betweenthe frames.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a slide bucklecomprising a pair of slidably engaged frames as has been hereinabovepointed out wherein the strap initially enters the buckle at the upperend thereofbetween the cooperative clamping bars.

It is also the object of this invention to provide a slide bucklecomprising a pair of slidably engaged frames of the type hereinbeforereferred to in which the construction may be relatively inexpensive tomanufacture, may be durable andsimple in construction, and may be simplein threading and in manipulation.

Other objects and advantages will be hereinafter more particularlypointed out and for a more complete understanding of the characteristicfeatures of this invention, reference may now be had to the followingdescription when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in whichlatter:

Figure 1 is a face view of a buckle constructed in accordance with theteachings of this invention in which the buckle is shown as beingconnected to a fragmentary portion of a bib of an overall;

Fig. 2 is a central vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2 ofFigure 1, showing a strap threaded therethrough; Y

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the frames of the buckleconstruction illustrated in Figure 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the other of the frame members of thebuckle construction shown in Figure l;

Fig. 5 is a face Vview of an assembled buckle of a modified form ofconstruction employing the teachings of this invention;

Fig. 6 is a central vertical sectional view taken on the line 6-6 ofFigure 1;

Fig. 7 is a face view of an assembled buckle showing another modifiedform of construction, employing the teachings of this invention; and

Fig. 8 is a central vertical sectional View taken on the line 8 8 ofFig. '7.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 4,inclusive, the construc- .tion therein shown comprises a pair of framemembers I0 and II, the frame member I0 being substantially rectangularin shape and comprising sides I2 and I3, an upper bar I4 and a lower barI5 defining a substantially rectangularly-shaped `opening I6, as shownmore particularly in Fig. 3 of the drawing. The kbar 4I5 of the frame I0is shaped to define a loop II, the button receiving opening I8 of whichopens into the rectangularly-shaped slot I6 of the frame. Portions I9 ofthe loop I'| are offset upwardly or forwardly withA reference to theremainder of the face of the loop for reasons which will hereinafter bemore fully explained. Further, adjacent each displaced portion I9, thelower bar I 5 is provided with offset portions 20, which portions aredisplaced to extend in a direction rearwardly of the loop I'I forfacilitating the entrance of the button into the loop, as willhereinafter be more clearly explained.

The frame member II is likewise substantially rectangular in shape andcomprises sides 2| and 22, an upper bar 23, and a lower bar 24 dening asubstantially rectangularly-shaped opening or slot 25, as shown. moreparticularly in Fig. 4 of the drawing. The upper bar 23 of the frameII'is preferably provided with an offset portion which extends over acentral portion thereof in a direction toward the other frame when theframes are in an assembled condition. The edges 2| and 22 are shown asextending above and below the upper and lower bars 23 and 24, although,of course, it may only be necessary to have the sides coextensive withthe outside edges of the bars for purposes of appearance.

The frame members I0 and II forming the slide buckle may be convenientlystamped from sheet metal or otherwise formed of a unitary constructionso that the commercial production of the buckle is thus facilitated. Inthe stamped buckle, the bars or frames are preferably dished orarci-form in cross-section to obtain a desired strength of the bucklewith the use of a relatively light-gage metal. The sides 2| and 22 ofthe frame I I are preferably bent back upon themselves in a spacedrelation to form channels for receiving the opposed edges I2 and I3 ofthe frame IO. The spaced sides of the channels are in the presentinstance substantially parallel and the spacing therebetween is suicientto permit the opposed edges I2 and I3 of the frame I0 to slide easilytherein. The bar I4, however, is tapered longitudinally of the buckle oris offset withr respect to the plane of the frame. The frames in theirslidable longitudinal movement are parallel, which, as will hereinafterbe more apparent, effects a clamping of the strap between the bars I4and 23.

The frame members IIJ and II, when in an assembled condition, cooperateto clamp the strap 2E in various adjusted positions, the free end of thestrap 26 being passed between the bars I4 and 23 forwardly through theopening 25 under the bar 23 and thence through the slot I 6 anddownwardly to a position behind the loop I1, which threading is shownmost clearly in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

In clamping the strap 26 in an adjusted position, a tension on the strapprovides a relative longitudinal ymovement of the frame members and IIin opposite directions, the frame IIJ -moving upwardly with the strapand the frame II remainingin a fixed position relatively to a Y button21, a shank 28 of which rests at the lower end of the button loop Il. Inthis instance, the

button is shown as being attached to a. bib 29 of an overall.

' 70 The frames I 0 vand IIYare slidably engaged,

the opposed sides I2 and I3 of the frame I0 engaging the channels 2| and22 of the frame A pull Vor tension on the strap 26 provides a rela-,tive longitudinal movement of the frames, where-'75 Vfrom the plane ofthe frame.

`nection with Figs. l to 4, inclusive. .the lower edge 45 of the bar 34is preferably by the offset portion of the bar 23 moving in the plane ofthe frames engages the strap 26 and urges Ythe latter against theinclined face of the bar Id of the frame I0 to clampingly hold the samein any desired adjusted position. When it is desired to loosen the strapwithin the frames, the frame ll may be brought downwardly by a manualmanipulation of the frame I I in a direction away from the Vinclinedsurface of the other frame.

In use the introduction of the button into engagement with the loop isfacilitated by virtue of the fact that the frame IU is provided withdownwardly extending offset portions 2l] which are adapted to engage theperipheral edge of the button to direct the same forwardly to a positionwhere the shank of the button is engaged in the opening i6 with theunderneath 'head of the button engaging the front face of the loop. Aslong as there is a relative pull between the strap and the button, thebutton will remain in the lower Vportionof the loop. If, however, thisrelative pull should be relieved and the button should slip upwardly inthe loop, the portions IQ will deflect the button forwardly over thelower bar 2li of the frame i! to prevent its accidentally beingdisengaged from the button loon.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawing, theconstruction therein shown embodies substantially the same elements asthose previously described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive,there being a pair of slidable frame members 3G and 3i, the frame member3l! being substantially rectangular and having sides 32 and 33, an upperbar Sil and a lower bar 35 defining a substantially rectangular slot 35.

The frame member 3i is likewise substantially rectangular in shape andcomprises sides 3l and 33, an upper bar 39, and a lower bar 4i) defininga substantially rectangularly-shaped opening or slot l l. The bar 35 ispreferably ofset or inclined The bar d@ of the frame 3| is shaped todene a loop i2, the button receiving opening i3 Vof which opens into therectangularly shaped slot l of the frame.

The frame members 35 and Si of this embodiment may likewise be stampedfrom sheet metal, or otherwise formed of a unitary construction inthe'same manner as previously recited in con- However,

bent at an angle to the plane of the barrll, the bent edge preferablyextending only a portion of the width of the bar and preferablycentrally thereof, leaving portions at the edge of the bar which arerelieved to permit the edges of a strap l5 threaded therebetween to havefree movement therethrough. I Y

When it is desired to Vclamp the strap in an adjusted position, .atension thereon provides a relative longitudinal movement of the framemembers in opposite directions, the frame 3i) moving upwardly with Vthestrap and the frame 3| remaining in a fixed position relatively to thearticle supported by the loop lili. Y

The movement of the frame 3@ relative to the frame 3l is effected bythreading the strap between the bars 313 and 3S through the slot 36 overthe bar 35 and thereafter under the bar and through the slot tl of theframe 3l downwardly behind the loop. Theredges 32 and 33 of the Yframe30 are preferably channel-shaped to receive opposed edges 3l and 38 ofthe frame 3|V in slidable engagement therewith( VThe opposite faces ofthe channel in this instance are preferably substantially parallel so.that the frames have parallel relative movement. However, when the frame30 moves upwardly as the frame 3| remains in a fixedV position, theangularly dis- 5 p's'ed edge 44 of the bar 34 urges the strap 55 againstthe inclined face of the bar 39 to clamp the strap in one of itsadjusted positions. When it isdesired to release the strap from itsclamped position, a manual manipulation of the bars to 10 move the twoin a direction toward each other may be had to widen the distancebetween the angularly disposed edge lill and the inclined bar 39.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 7 and .15 8 of the drawing, theconstruction therein shown comprises a pair of frame members d5 and 41,the frame member 46 being substantially rectangular in shape and havingupper and lower bars 48 and 49 and sides 50 and 5l defining a sub- 20stantially rectangular slot 52.

The frame member @l is likewise substantially rectangular in shape andcomprises sides 53 and 54, an upper bar 55 and a lower bar 56 defining asubstantially rectangularly-shaped opening or $5 slot 5l. The bar 55 ofthe frame ll is shaped to define a loop 58, the button receiving opening59 of which opens into the rectangularly-shaped slot 5l of the frame.The loop 53 as well as the loop l2 in the preceding embodiment is formed30 similarly to the loop l'l of the rst described embodiment havingportions which are offset upwardly for preventing accidentaldisengagement of the button from the loop when tension is relieved onthe strap threaded through the frames 35 and also portions which aredisplaced to extend Vrearwardly of the loop for facilitating theentrance of the button into the loop.

The frame members iii and ll may be stamped from sheet metal orotherwise formed of a unitary 40 construction and may be of arci-formcross-section to result in the use of a substantially lightgage metal inobtaining a maximum strength in construction. The edges 53 and 5d of theframe. lil are formed into channels, the upper edges of which channelsare tapered or offset with respect to the plane of the frame. All of thebars in this modication lie substantially in the plane of theirrespective frames.

' rl'he frame members d5 and lll, when in an 50 assembled condition,cooperate to clamp. a strap 5% in various adjusted positions, the freeend of the strap 65 being passed between the bars t8 and 55 forwardlythrough the slot 52 over the bar 59 and thence under the latter bar andthrough the 55 slot 51 to extend downwardly behind the loop 58, whichthreading is shown more particularly in Fig. 8 of the drawing, when thestrap is in a clamped position. 60 A tension on the strap 55 provides arelative longitudinal movement of the frame members in oppositedirections, the frame 55 moving upwardly with the strap and the frame 5lremaining in a xed position relatively to the article supported.However, by reason of the fact that the bar 48 is of arci-formcross-section throughout the width of the frame, the outer ends of thebar -ride in the tapered channel and provide a transverse movement ofthe frame 55 relative to 70 the frame 51 upon a relative longitudinalmovement thereof to clamp the strap 5@ between the bar 48 and the bar55. The bar 58 in this instance is shown as being straight throughoutits width, although, of course, as in the previous embodi- ,5

isv

ments, this bar may be centrally offset to engage but a central portionof the width of the strap.

While several embodiments of this invention are herein shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that various modifications thereof maybe apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit and scope of this invention and, therefore, the same are only tobe limited by the scope of the prior art and the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A slide buckle, comprising a frame having spaced sides and a thirdside-for attachment with an article to be supported, a bar connectingsaid spaced sides for engaging a strap, a second frame for slidablyengaging said first mentioned frame and having upper, lower and sidebars defining an opening through which said strap is threaded, saidupper bar overlying and coop-erating with said first mentioned bar in anoperative position and having a central deformed portion, andV means onone of said frames for engaging the other of said frames to direct arelative transverse movement of said frames upon a relative longitudinalmovement thereof to clamp said strap in adjusted positions between saidcentral deformed portion and the bar it overlies.

2. A slide buckle, comprising a frame having spaced sides and a thirdside for attachment with an article to be supported, a bar connectingsaid spaced sides for engaging a strap, a second frame having upper,lower and side bars defining an opening through which said strap isthreaded, said upper bar overlying and cooperating with said nrstmentioned bar in an operative position, opposed edges of one of saidframes being bent to form channels, each channel having walls inclinedtoward each other to receive opposed edges of the other of said framesin slidable engagement, and means on said opposed edges for engagementwith the inclined walls for directing a relative transverse movement ofsaid frames upon a relative longitudinal movement thereof to clamp saidstrap in adjusted positions between said overlying bars.

3. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames disposedface to face in a spaced substantially parallel relation, each framehaving a pair of cross bars connecting spaced side bars for defining aslot in each of said frames to receive a strap threaded therethrough, across bar on one of said frames being attached to an article to besupported and the other cross bar engaging the strap, a cross bar on theother o-f said frames overlying and cooperating with said strap engagingcross bar and being spaced sufficiently to permit said strap to beclamped in adjusted positions between the opposed faces of thecooperating cross bars by the transverse movement of the frames towardeach other upon the tensioning of the strap, the side bars of saidsecond frame being bent to form channels for receiving the side bars ofthe rst frame to permit the slidable engagement thereof, and means fordirecting relative transverse movements of said frames toward and awayfrom each other upon relative longitudinal movements thereof.

4. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames disposedface to face in a spaced substantially parallel relation, each framehaving a pair of cross bars connecting spaced side bars for defining faslot in each of said frames to receive a strap threaded therethrough, across bar on one of said frames being attached to an article to besupported and the other cross bar engaging the strap, a cross bar on theother of Said frames overlying and having an offset portion to cooperatewith said strap engaging cross bar and being spaced suiciently to permitsaid strap to be clamped in adjusted positions between the opposed facesof the cooperating cross bars by the transverse movement of the framestoward each other upon the tensioning of the strap, the side bars ofsaid second frame being bent to form channels for receiving the sidebars of the first frame to permit the slidable engagement thereof, andmeans for directing relative transverse movements of said frames towardand away vfrom each other upon relative longitudinal movements thereof.

5. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames disposedface to face in a spaced substantially parallel relation, each framehaving a pair of cross bars connecting spaced side bars for defining aslot in each of said frames to receive a strap threaded therethrough, across bar on one of said frames being attached to an article to besupported and the other cross bar engaging the strap, a cross bar on theother of said frames overlying and cooperating with said strap engagingcross bar and being spaced sufficiently to permit said strap to beclamped in adjusted positions between the opposed faces of thecooperating cross bars by the transverse 35 said frames toward and awayfrom each other 45 upon relative longitudinal movements thereof.

6. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames disposedface to face in a spaced substantially parallel relation, each framehaving a pair of cross bars connecting spaced side bars for defining aslot in each of said frames to receive a strap threaded therethrough, across bar on one of said frames being attached to an article to besupported and the other cross bar engaging the strap, a cross bar on theother of said frames overlying and cooperating with said strap engagingcross bar and being spaced sufiiciently to permit. said strap to beclamped in adjusted positionsrbretween the opposed faces oi' thecooperating Vcross bars by the transverse movement of the frames towardeach other upon the tensioning of the strap, the side bars of saidsecond frame being bent tolform channels the walls of which are taperedfor receiving the side bars of the first frame to direct relativetransverse movements of the frames toward and away from each other uponr'elative longitudinal movements thereof.

